There was deep sadness at Uburu-ekwe street, Ugwuagor in Abakpa Nike Enugu State, on Wednesday night, when a man allegedly beat his eight-month pregnant wife to death.
The suspect, who was simply identified by his nickname, Eke Nweofia, is a dealer in scrap metal (condemned iron) at Nkpor street, in Abakpa, was said to be under the influence of alcohol when he committed the crime.
An eyewitness, Chibuike Ozor, said that the victim, known as Mama Goodluck, a mother of four children, was beaten to stupor by her husband and was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead in the early hours of Thursday.
He narrated that Eke Nweofia, who came home from work on Wednesday night, demanded food from his wife, but was told that the only food in the house was for the children. She explained to him that she had to beg for a bowl of garri from one of her neighbours for the children to feed, since the suspect did not provide money for food before he left for work.
“This response obviously got the husband angry and he pounced on her and beat her mercilessly. Before we could come to her rescue, she had collapsed. So, we helped in rushing her to the hospital where she was later confirmed dead in the early hours of Thursday.”
Ozor also said that the man was in the habit of beating his wife at the slightest provocation. “When this pregnancy was about two months old, the husband battered her and it took our intervention to save the woman that day.”
The suspect has since been arrested by men of Ugwuagor Vigilante group and handed over to the police.
When contacted, the Chief Security Officer of the area, Ikechukwu Ukwuani, who confirmed the incidence, noted that it was a shocking development.
“The sad story is true. I just came back from Abakpa Police Station where we handed him over to the police.”
Cover Photo is for illustrative purposes. Photo credit: South China Morning Post.
